Manila US Embassy Interview Experience 9/14/2011

[len3rd26 0]

Hi guys! So we got approved! Yay Now more processing and papers...

Well, just want to write up a review of our recent experience at USEM so those of you who are still waiting may have an idea on what to expect.

Arrived at 6:30am

Done by 10:30am

This is really loooong story so here it goes...

Our interview was scheduled on Sept 14 at 7:00am. It was originally scheduled a week before that, but my fiance's NBI won't be released till Sept 13(#######) so we had to reschedule.

I was with him on his interview btw coz I was there for a 3-week vacation.

Anywho, we left the house at 6:00am, got there at 6:30am. We initially went to the main gate but they have a new building now so make sure you go to the right one (probably 100 steps away from the overhead bridge). So we were about to fall in line by where the tents are but when the security guard asked us what time our appointment was for, he told us to go further down just beside the overhead bridge and wait(and A LOT of people was there already!) I'm like WTH??? So whatever, we went to the end of one line(there were at least more than 3) and asked what line is that for. Good thing one of the ballpen vendors overheard our conversation and said to us that we can go to the front if we're there for the fiance visa, so we followed her and then she said that they were already calling those scheduled for 7am so we can go straight back were the tents were (i guess we should've waited by the tent and ignored the security guard)

So we were in line at 6:45am(there are 2 lines for immigrant/fiance visas and the some other lines for tourist and seafarers(?). We were asked for his:

1. Interview Schedule/Appointment print out

2. Passport

3. DS forms (2 copies each of 156 and 157 each and one copy of 156k)

When it was our turn(I'll call this Stage 1), the guy took the things stated above, asked my fiance what he was there for(fiance visa interview), then he looked at his list to check for his name and a sticker. He asked me who I was(petitioner), handed us back the papers which he tried to organize for us, gave us back the passport and a small ziploc bag for the passport(insert the passport with the picture/biopage open) then told us to enter on door#3.

So there we went through security(scanned our bags) then went out the other door, there was another line(Stage 2). We handed the lady what was stated above and the Visa Payment Receipt, asked me who I was, then she stapled the papers with our ticket number(6106! Oooh I still remember) and another print out of our ticket number for us to hold on to then asked us to drop it off at window 39. This was at 7:00am.

So we went inside the main building, there was another security check point. We dropped of the stapled papers at window#39(no one will take it from you so just drop it off and have a seat) and kept with us the passport and our personal ticket number.

Then the waiting starts. Good thing I was with my fiance to keep him company so we chatted and made each other laugh to pass time.

Our number was probably called at around 7:45am to window 49 for the pre-screening(Stage 3). We talked to a filipino guy(he was nice and not rude), he asked for my fiance's BC, Cenomar, NBI and passport first. Then my fiance was asked some questions like what's his name, my name, my job, when and where we met, chatted about how we stayed together for 9 years(can't remember all his questions) Then I joined their conversation(it felt very casual, like we were talking to an uncle or something). Then he asked for the I-134 and the 2010 ITR and w-2 and his 3 visa pictures. He was told to sign one of the DS form. Then asked for our pictures together(we just picked a few random picture from 2008 to present, glued 2 pictures on a piece of print paper and labeled the year and a very short caption beside each photo). He looked at all 10 papers and was commenting on how great it was that we're still together after all these years. He returned the pictures to us, told us to wait to be called again, and congratulated us on our upcoming wedding. (We talked to him probably for 10mins)

So another wait, we were called at around 8:30am to window 40 for his finger scanning(Stage 4), here he was asked for his name and DOB, fingers were scanned then we sat back again to wait... At this point, we were both sleepy

He was called to window 62 at around 10:00am for his final interview(Stage 5), I didn't go with him coz he feels that he'll get more nervous when I'm there so I let him be He was interviewed for like 3 mins! (good job!) According to him, his interviewer was a nice american female, with an australian accent, maybe in her early 40's. He was asked if english is okay for the interview, then was told to raise his right hand and swear that he will tell the truth. Then the interviewer asked for his name, my name, who petitioned me(my grandma), when did we immigrate to the US, when did I become a US citizen, where did we meet, when is he going to the US and when are we planning to have the wedding. Then she asked him if he's aware that we need to get married within 90 days, he said yes. She asked for our pictures, which she looked at 3 pages and returned it back to him. Then she said "Congratulations, you passed and your visa is approved" Then she congratulated him too for the upcoming wedding(how nice!) He was trying to hide his smile so he can make me nervous but he can't fool me!

So probably after 15mins or so, he was called to window 72 for the visa pick up/delivery information. He was asked for his name and my name. Since we choose to pick it up at a 2go branch, he was handed back the print out of our appointment letter (something was stamped or written on it, can't remember) and was sent home at around 11am. We're still waiting for his Visa to be picked up, I'll ask him to call the branch this week if its there or not.

There you have it! The whole experience wasn't that bad, just the waiting. But once they tell you that you're approved, the wait was nothing compared to our happiness.

So to everyone who's still waiting to be interviewed, you guys can do it! Good luck guys!!!

[Kengux 3]

Congratulations!

[brian and aileen 14]

congratulations...

[Markieboy 104]

Congratulations!!!

Good luck and best wishes!

[kookysmirk 0]

comgratsss ! does ur fiance had finger scanning upon interview by the us console ?